Ducati 998

Ducati 998

Manufacturer	Ducati
Production	2002 - 2004
Predecessor	Ducati 996
Successor	Ducati 999
Class	Sport bike
Engine	998 cc (61 cu in), L-twin, fuel injected 4 valve per cylinder desmodromic, liquid cooled
Bore / stroke	100.0 mm × 63.5 mm (3.94 in × 2.50 in)
Power	123 hp (92 kW) @ 9,750 rpm
Transmission	6-speed, chain drive
Frame type	Tubular steel trellis frame
Suspension	Front: Showa 43 mm Rear: Fully adjustable Ohlins
Brakes	Front: 2 x 320 mm disc, 4-piston Brembo caliper Rear: Single 220 mm disc, two-piston caliper
Wheelbase	55.5 in (1,409.7 mm)
Seat height	790 mm (31 in)

The Ducati 998 is a sport bike made by Ducati from 2002 to 2004. It was the successor to the Ducati 996 and the final variation on the Ducati 916. The new Testastretta engine shared many similarities with the previous Desmoquattro engine in the 996, although it was completely new from the crankshaft up. Testastretta means narrow head and refers to a complete redesign of the cylinder heads. The desmodromic valve actuation method was retained.

The 996 had a bore and stroke of 98.0 mm × 66.0 mm (3.86 in × 2.60 in). The bore and stroke of the 998 was more oversquare at 100.0 mm × 63.5 mm (3.94 in × 2.50 in). The included valve angle was reduced from 40 degrees on the 996 to 25 degrees on the 998. Valve sizes were increased, and the camshafts had slightly increased lift, but with shorter duration.^[1] Horsepower increased from 112 to 123.^[2]

The 998R and non US 998S models had different crankcases with a deep oil sump. The standard 998 had crankcases which were very similar to the previous Desmoquattro. The non US 998S as well as the 998R had revised cam profiles which provided more power than the standard 998. The 998R model used a 104.0 mm × 58.8 mm (4.09 in × 2.31 in) mm bore and stroke which actually displaced 999 cc, and was very similar to the engine used in the subsequent 999R model.

In 2001, Ducati introduced the 996R (see Ducati 996) with the 998 cc Testastretta engine. This bike was the true introduction of the Testastretta engine and the 998 model. The engine was similar to the 2002 non US 998S. Only 500 were sold which was all that were needed to homologate the bike to race in the World Superbike Championship. This bike won the World Superbike Championship in 2001 with rider Troy Bayliss. Michael Rutter won the Macau Grand Prix in 2002 and 2003.

A 2001 Ducati 996, in dark green, was featured in the 2003 movie The Matrix Reloaded.^[3] Ducati subsequently announced a limited edition of similar bikes for model year 2004 in a very dark green color, but as production of the 996 had since ceased, these were actually 998-series bikes.

The 998 officially ended production in 2004 with the release of the 998s FE ("Final Edition"). This bike was only available by special order, it was not available as a regular production model. They were available in Biposto and Monoposto (one or two seat) versions. It was largely similar to the US model 2002 998S (using the standard 998 engine but with uprated Ohlins suspension components and Brembo four-piston calipers).